Job title: Chair of Active Essex

William is a GP and CEO of Intelligent Health. He has been passionate about getting people more active since the mid-1990s when he set up Health Walks and the Green Gym from his practice near Reading. William is also CEO and founder of Intelligent Health which gets whole towns and cities more active using gamification with a strong emphasis on reaching the more disadvantaged communities.

His enthusiasm about getting people connected to nature led the Independent on Sunday newspaper to vote him as one of the top 100 people in Britain to make people happy and BBC Wildlife magazine named him as one of the top 30 environmentalists in the UK.  He was awarded the MBE in 2010 for services to physical activity and health.

Commenting on his appointment, Dr Bird said: “I know how important being connected to nature, being outside and being active can be to residents’ wellbeing. I am delighted to join Active Essex, with whom I already have such a great relationship with. As Chair I am looking forward to working with the team and the Board to continue to create further opportunities and develop innovative projects alongside partners and stakeholders, that will have a lasting and meaningful change in improving health through community connections. This is something I am so passionate about in my personal life and career.”